Lexapro Vs. Zoloft: which One is Better for Me?

Introduction

With all the different depression and anxiety medications on the market, it can be hard to know which drug is which. Lexapro and Zoloft are two of the more commonly prescribed medications for mood disorders such as depression.

These drugs are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin, a substance in your brain that helps maintain your mood. Read on to learn more about similarities and differences between Lexapro and Zoloft.

Drug features

Lexapro is prescribed to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Zoloft is prescribed to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and several other mental health conditions. The table below compares the conditions each drug is approved to treat.

The table below compares other key aspects of Zoloft and Lexapro.

Cost, availability, and insurance

Both medications are available in most pharmacies in brand-name and generic versions. Generics are generally cheaper than brand-name products. At the time this article was written, the prices for the brand-name and generic versions of Lexapro and Zoloft were similar, according to GoodRx.com.

Health insurance plans typically cover antidepressant medications such as Lexapro and Zoloft, but prefer you to use the generic forms.

Side effects

The charts below list examples of side effects of Lexapro and Zoloft. Because Lexapro and Zoloft are both SSRIs, they share many of the same side effects.

A concern that many people have about taking antidepressants is weight gain. It’s true that many antidepressants can cause weight gain, but some drugs are thought to cause less weight gain than others. Lexapro and Zoloft are two antidepressants that may cause less weight gain. If you’re concerned about this effect from taking an antidepressant, talk with your doctor.

Drug interactions

The drug interactions of Lexapro and Zoloft are very similar. Before starting Lexapro or Zoloft, tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you take, especially if they’re listed below. This information can help your doctor prevent possible interactions.

The chart below compares examples of drugs that can interact with Lexapro or Zoloft.

Warning information

Conditions of concern

Lexapro and Zoloft contain many of the same warnings for use with other medical conditions. For example, both medications are pregnancy category C drugs. This means that if you’re pregnant, you should only use these medications if the benefits are greater than the risk to your pregnancy.

The chart below lists other medical conditions you should discuss with your doctor before taking Lexapro or Zoloft.

Possible withdrawal

You should not suddenly stop treatment with an SSRI such as Lexapro or Zoloft. Stopping these medications suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

  • flu-like symptoms
  • agitation
  • dizziness
  • confusion
  • headache
  • anxiety
  • sleeping trouble

Learn more

If you need to stop one of these medications, talk to your doctor. They will slowly decrease your dosage to help prevent withdrawal symptoms. For more information, read about the dangers of stopping an antidepressant abruptly.

Talk with your doctor

To find out more about how Lexapro and Zoloft are alike and different, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you if one of these drugs, or a different drug, could help you with your mental health condition. Some questions that might be helpful to ask your doctor include:

  • How long will it take before I feel the benefits of this medication?
  • What is the appropriate time of day for me to take this medication?
  • Which side effects should I expect from this medication, and will they go away?

Together, you and your doctor can find a medication that’s right for you. To learn about other options, check out this article on the different types of antidepressants.

Read more on: depression